November 29, 2021

Dear Friend of Twin Cities Ministries,

We are thankful to God this Thanksgiving season for his faithfulness to his promises and for the abundant care that he has shown us and to those whom he has entrusted to us to provide housing and support as they become steadfast in their walk in Christ. God’s love and faithfulness endures forever!

This past July, we sent out a newsletter describing each of the houses we operate and a report of the financial strain we were in. By God’s grace and abundant provision, many of our supporters responded wholeheartedly and gave over $50,000 to meet our immediate need. We were overwhelmed and filled with praise and thanks to God! Those funds met our need and replenished the reserves that we depend on in lean months. Your gifts strengthened our confidence and encouraged us to press on with greater zeal in our work. We continue to be thankful for such a strong showing of support.

We have recently started working to increase our digital presence. If you use social media, check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @supportTCM. We also are planning to communicate more regularly via email. Please visit our updated website to sign up for email updates.

As we come to the end of the year, we introduce you to Erin. She is a resident in Bethel House, which is the house supporting women and children and was featured in our last newsletter. Here is her story:

I moved into Bethel House in June 2020. If you had met me five years ago, I would have said that I had it made. I was newly married and sober from meth for almost six years. We had a four-acre hobby farm, I worked hard and ran a business that provided good jobs for people. But God was never at the center of my life. If God had been at the center, my marriage, my family, and my life wouldn’t have ended up like it did.

When I was about six months pregnant with my daughter Ava (now six years old), a series of trials and obstacles all came piling down and the great enemy, Satan, attacked. My husband was in a horrific accident when another driver drove head on into oncoming traffic which resulted in the other driver’s death. I was overworked, my dad had just died from cancer, I stopped caring and started using meth again. My husband had already started using again, and violence became part of our marriage. Eventually everything unraveled.

On July 2, 2018, Ava’s third birthday, I committed to the Healing House program. I was in such bad shape; I can’t even remember meetings the first few weeks. I slowly and steadily got sober, clean and healthy! I graduated from the Healing House shortly before my youngest son was born. I had planned to give him up for adoption because I didn't think God could provide for me. My (by this time ex) husband was in prison and I was in treatment. God did some miraculous things to show that He can, and will, provide.

I have been at Bethel House now for 18 months. Being a single mom is HARD. If I hadn't come to Bethel House, I’d be out there using again. I wouldn’t have the strong Christian community, the role models and support like I do at Bethel house. I’m sober, I’m raising two kids on my own, I’m working to restore my relationship with my oldest daughter, I work full time, and go to school two nights per week to get licensed as a plumber. It has been a struggle to find early morning daycare for my two little kids. The churches and mentors connected to Bethel House have helped so much with this.

I wouldn’t be able to do this by myself. Bethel House and the churches that support it have helped so much. My goal and prayer is to become journeymen plumber and buy a house in three years. I understand more what a real God-fearing man looks like and pray for a future marriage with God at the center.

As you consider your year-end giving, please consider giving to Twin Cities Ministries. Our regular monthly income is still down from pre-pandemic levels, and while we have drastically reduced our expenses over the past year, we’re still having trouble making ends meet on a monthly basis. Our major goals for 2022 are to continue providing quality housing, increase awareness of our work, stabilize our income, and lay the foundations for another home for women and children. We’re grateful for any contributions you’re able to make. We understand that there are many needs you have the opportunity to help meet. We are humbled and grateful by your continued support of Twin Cities Ministries.

In service to Jesus Christ and our cities,

George Stagg

President

Twin Cities Ministries